Biden to stump for Markey

Another big-name Democrat is Massachusetts-bound to help Democratic Rep. Ed Markey in the final days before the special election and try to ensure that the Senate seat previously held by Secretary of State John Kerry stays in Democratic hands.

Vice President Joe Biden will stump with Markey in South Boston and Dartmouth on Saturday, the Boston Globe is reporting, citing a White House official.

Markey faces Republican Gabriel Gomez in a special election on Tuesday. The Democrat leads in polls in the blue-leaning state, but Democrats have nonetheless been flanking him with star power.

A parade of big-name Democrats have flown up to Massachusetts over the course of the campaign to stump for Markey: President Barack Obama stumped with him, and first lady Michelle Obama headlined a fundraiser. Last week, Biden and former Vice President Al Gore held a fundraiser for Markey in Washington, D.C.

There, Biden expressed concern that with the typically light turnout of an off-year special election, Democrats could not take the seat for granted.

“There’s a big difference in this race: Barack Obama’s not at the head of the ticket,” Biden said. “And that means those legions of African Americans and Latinos are not automatically going to come out. No one has energized them like Barack Obama. But he’s not on the ticket. So don’t take this one for granted.”

In the last Massachusetts Senate special election, former Republican Sen. Scott Brown pulled off an upset victory over Attorney General Martha Coakley, who was heavily favored. Democrats are evidently hoping to avoid a similar scenario this time.